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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 24, 2009

37th TRW impresses General Hertog

By Mike Joseph 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

Impressed!

That one word described Maj. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog's reaction to what she saw during her first visit to Lackland since taking over as commander of 2nd Air Force.

The general, who commanded the 37th Training Wing from June 2004 to June 2006, had nothing but praise for the members of her former wing following a three-day orientation visit to the base.

"I'm impressed with everybody's dedication," General Hertog said after completing her tour. "Our people are motivated to do what they know they have to do, and are very enthusiastic. They know the mission and how it contributes to 2nd AF, AETC (Air Education and Training Command) and the Air Force."

General Hertog and her husband, retired Chief Master Sgt. Herm Hertog, and Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, 2nd Air Force command chief, spent Nov. 16 through 18 participating in briefings and presentations as 37th TRW officials showcased the wing and its many missions.

A highlight of the general's visit was taking part in the official ground breaking ceremony for construction of the first Airmen Training Complex for basic trainees, an expected nine-year project with an estimated cost of nearly $900 million.

The concept for an ATC was only on paper during General Hertog's tour as 37th TRW commander, and seeing construction about to start brought a smile from the general, who took command of 2nd Air Force in September.

"Participating in the ribbon cutting was special," she said. "It was an idea on paper. The Air Force made a great decision to invest in our Airmen, to give them what they deserve by replacing those aging RH and Ts (Recruit Housing and Training dormitories) that date back to the Vietnam era."

The visit also gave General Hertog an opportunity to see several projects, which were in the works during her tenure, come to fruition. Two of these projects were the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training course and expansion of basic military training to 8.5 weeks.

"To come back and see it (the BEAST) fully built, that was awesome," she said.

After leaving the 37th TRW in 2006 to become director of Air Force Security Forces headquarters in Washington, D.C., General Hertog thought her days of commanding an organization in AETC were over until she was offered the opportunity to replace Maj. Gen. Alfred Flowers as 2nd AF commander.

"I couldn't believe the Air Force was going to allow me the privilege to command again," she said. "I was thrilled and excited to be a numbered Air Force commander in 2nd AF, which is second to none. What a great mission. It's an honor to command and an honor to be able to lay the foundation for these Airmen. We have a huge impact across the Air Force and the Department of Defense."

Now in charge, what will be her footprint for 2nd AF?

"Leadership is all about making a difference," General Hertog said. "I want to make a difference by producing Airmen who are ready for combat and ready to take on their job.

"It's a wonderful feeling to see Airmen succeed; it means that along the way, you've also succeeded," she added.